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212520_The_Adve ... _Way_Through_The_World.pdf - OUDL Home

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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 571<br />

produced in due season. We happened to know where Philip dined,<br />

and sent him word to come to us.<br />

"What can he mean ?" the people asked at the table—a<br />

bachelors' table at the Temple (for Philip's good wife actually<br />

encouraged him to go abroad from time to time, and make merry<br />

with his friends). " What can this mean ?" and they read out the<br />

scrap of paper which he had cast down as he was summoned away.<br />

Philip's correspondent wrote :—<br />

" DEAR PHILIP,—I believe the BEARER OF THE BOWSTRING has<br />

arrived ; and has been with the L. S. this very day."<br />

<strong>The</strong> L. S. ? the bearer of the bowstring? Not one of the<br />

bachelors dining in Parchment Buildings could read the riddle.<br />

Only after receiving the scrap of paper Philip had jumped up and<br />

left the room : and a friend of ours, a sly wag and Don Juan of<br />

Pump Court, offered to take odds that there was a lady in the case.<br />

At the hasty little council which was convened at our house on<br />

the receipt of the news, the Little Sister, whose instinct had not<br />

betrayed her, was made acquainted with the precise nature of the<br />

danger which menaced Philip ; and exhibited a fine hearty wrath<br />

when she heard how he proposed to meet the enemy. He had a<br />

certain sum in hand. He would borrow more of his friends, who<br />

knew that he was an honest man. This bill he would meet,<br />

whatever might come ; and avert at least this disgrace from his<br />

father.<br />

What ? Give in to those rogues ? Leave his children to starve,<br />

and his poor wife to turn drudge and house-servant, who was not<br />

fit for anything but a fine lady ? (<strong>The</strong>re was no love lost, you see,<br />

between these two ladies, who both loved Mr. Philip.) It was a<br />

sin and a shame ! Mrs. Brandon averred, and declared she thought<br />

Philip had been a man of more spirit. Philip's friend has before<br />

stated his own private sentiments regarding the calamity which<br />

menaced Firmin. To pay this bill was to bring a dozen more down<br />

upon him. Philip might as well resist now as at a later day.<br />

Such, in fact, was the opinion given by the reader's very humble<br />

servant at command.<br />

My wife, on the other hand, took Philip's side. She was very<br />

much moved at his announcement that he would forgive his father<br />

this once at least, and endeavour to cover his sin.<br />

" As you hope to be forgiven yourself, dear Philip, I am sure<br />

you are doing right," Laura said; "I am sure Charlotte will<br />

think so."<br />

" Oh, Charlotte, Charlotte !" interposes the Little Sister, rather

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